The Gambia
VSO in The Gambia
VSO has worked in The Gambia for over 40 years. At any given time, we have around 30-40 volunteers in the country.
VSO's volunteers are currently working in the following programmes:
The Gambia Background
The Gambia is the smallest country on the African continent: a narrow stretch of land in North West Africa, 500km long and only 25km to 50km wide, it is completely surrounded by Senegal, except for its coastline.
The tribes of Gambia were at one time associated with the West African Empires of Ghana, Mali and Songhay. In 1588 the area became Britain's first possession; in 1965 it gained its independence; and between 1982 and 1989 it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia with Senegal. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty.
A military coup in 1994 overthrew the president and banned political activity, but a 1996 constitution and presidential elections, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. The country undertook another round of presidential and legislative elections in late 2001 and early 2002. Jammeh, the leader of the coup, has been elected president in all subsequent elections. Although the country works on institutional strengthening, it remains vulnerable to the political and social tensions in the sub-region, and governance is a concern.
The Gambia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its economy is characterised by traditional subsistence agriculture that contributes 36% to GDP but occupies at least 70% of the labour force. Tourism, accounting for $49 million of the $2.6 billion GDP, has little significance for the population. Living standards are relatively low and the majority of the rural population is faced with inadequate health care, sanitation, nutrition and education.
Read more:
- Find out about our Education programme in The Gambia
- Find out about our Sustainable Livelihoods programme in The Gambia
- Find out about our Disability programme in The Gambia
- Read about VSO's work in other countries
Volunteer stories from The Gambia:
- Read Judy McNeill's story about working as an education volunteer in The Gambia
- Read Kathy Joyce's story about working as a management volunteer under the Sustainable Livelihoods programme in The Gambia
- Read Alvean Jones' story about working as a volunteer under the Disability programme in the Gambia